The Minnesota Lynx are coming off of beating the Chicago Sky last game. The game tonight they play against the Las Vegas Aces who come in 12-12 on the season as they’ve been riddled with injuries this season. The big matchup of the night was of course A’ja Wilson vs Napheesa Collier. Last years MVP of the W against the odds on favorite MVP for this season.
The Lynx were able to set the tone defensively in this game early and they were able to get Wilson into foul trouble ASAP. Wilson had 2 quick fouls in the 1st and that got her off her game instantly as Minnesota was aggressive from the tipoff. Courtney Williams and Napheesa Collier were on a mission tonight to put the team on their back and they did just that combining for 48 of the Lynx 109 points tonight.
Collier was impressive on both ends of the floor tonight especially with her defense on A’ja Wilson holding her to only 15 points and 7 rebounds on the night. Collier was able to get to her spots with ease and Williams was able to find her on that pick and roll all the way to her 25 point performance. Courtney Williams was unreal from the field scoring 23 points on 10/12 shooting from the field as the Aces had no answer for her pull up jumper in transition. When Williams has it going like this it’s tough for any team to beat the Lynx.
Bridget Carleton has been able to be a huge key to the win streak as she’s finding a rhythm and getting aggressive with her shot selection. Tonight Bridget finished with 14 points and 6 rebounds for the Lynx. When BC is playing at this level the Lynx get more opportunities especially in 2nd chance points with her hustle plays. The Aces were leaving Bridget alone and she made them pay big time as you can see her confidence going through the roof.
Jessica Shepard finished with a double double against the Aces with 10 points and 13 rebounds. She was an absolute beast in the paint tonight and was able to bully the Aces in the paint. Jessica brings that extra rebounding that the team needs and when Lan only playing 18 minutes tonight Jess stepped up in a huge way. The Lynx depth has been on full display and the Aces ran into a buzz saw that they weren’t ready for as the Lynx bench added in 30 points.
Jewell Loyd went 0/10 from the field and wasn’t able to get it going at all and if the Aces were going to have a chance they needed her and A’ja to show out. The Lynx defense was dominate tonight as they them out-rebounded the Aces (48-30) and they got to the line 38 times tonight. Up next the Lynx will be playing against the Atlanta Dream as they will be in for a competitive game.
The Minnesota Lynx are fresh off their WNBA All-Star Weekend, where Napheesa Collier took home the ASG MVP. Right back to action on Monday night, the Lynx had to gear up to play the familiar Chicago Sky. Tonight, it was Bridget Carleton who got the party started on the offensive end as she was coming out aggressive with her shot selection. On the defensive end, Napheesa Collier had an incredible sequence where she legit blocked 3 shots in one play. This Lynx team has been able to showcase a lot of depth, and it was on full display against Chicago tonight. It was a well-balanced attack from Minnesota as the whole starting five was in double figures. Both Kayla McBride and Napheesa Collier finished the game with 19 points each. Angel Reese was able to get to the paint and do some damage, but the job that Maria did on the paint was very impressive. Angel finished with 11 points, 3 assists, and 11 rebounds on the night, but the Lynx were in control all night as the team defense was on full display. The Lynx pulled away from the Sky in this game with their defense, and that turned into offense as they forced 17 turnovers. Natisha Hiedeman got banged up in this game with an ankle injury that was pretty much the only thing that didn’t go Minnesota’s way on the night. This team is dangerous with the depth overall, and it’s going to be interesting watching the 2nd half stretch of the season. The Lynx have been playing with amazing confidence and extreme chemistry as they’re proving that no other team can stop what they have brewing. It will be a great test this weekend with the Las Vegas Aces coming in with A’ja Wilson.
The Lynx were coming into tonight’s game fresh off a win yesterday against Golden State. They had to go up against the Chicago Sky who are a scrappy and fiesty team that doesn’t give up.
We’re in for an amazing matchup at the forward position as Napheesa Collier will be lining up against Angel Reese. Both women do their damage in the paint and they showcase amazing footwork as well.
We brought up the forward play to start this article off but it was the guard play that took the show. The Chicago Sky got a huge boost tonight from the Minnesota native Rachel Banham who played lights out tonight. Rachel’s a huge fan favorite as she played on the Lynx previously but tonight she made sure the fans remembered her game.
Banham was able to hit some tough shots against the Lynx as she finished with 20 points on 7/13 shooting from the field. It seemed as though Rachel was able to get open randomly on poor rotations but the Lynx were able to make some adjustments to slow her down. Angel Reese was a beast in the paint for the Sky as she finished with 16 points, 17 rebounds, and 6 assists. Reese continues to impress with her game and she’s grown as a playmaker as well.
Reese was making it tough on the Minnesota Lynx bigs in the paint all night long. The Chicago Sky didn’t have enough fire power overall at the end of this game when it mattered as Minnesota’s defense locked in.
The Minnesota Lynx offensive fire power came from Courtney Williams after she was named to the WNBA All Star Game. Williams came out and played like an All Star putting the Lynx on her back when Napheesa wasn’t getting her looks to go in. Courtney Williams was 10/17 from the field and was able to finish with 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists.
This was one of Courtney’s most impressive games on the season from a total package and she was able to set the tone against Chicago who couldn’t stop her mid-range jumper at all tonight. When Williams has her game going like that it opens up so many things for this offense. Once Williams was going then they started to double but that got Napheesa Collier going in the game. Collier had the Sky players on their heels from her footwork and she was able to make them pay in the paint.
Napheesa Collier has also hit 45 free throws in a row tying the franchise record. When Phee gets to the line it’s automatic these days. Another thing that has been automatic is Diamond Miller off the bench. Diamond came in and gave the Lynx an extra spark and came in playing at a high level on both ends of the floor. Diamond was brilliant in transition and she was even better defensively as she blocked Angel Reese with authority.
If the Lynx can get 10 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists out of Diamond every game this team can win the championship with ease.
Next up for the Minnesota Lynx are the Phoenix Mercury as they will be ready to play a big game with Copper back in the lineup and Thomas this go around.
The Minnesota Lynx are coming off a great win against the Washington Mystics the other night. They would come into tonight’s game against the Golden State Valkyries looking for that same result.
Golden State came to play tonight as they were able to hustle and make the best of their paint touches. It was Kayla Thornton and Tiffany Hayes who led the charge for Golden State as they combined for 36 of their 71 points.
Tiffany Hayes was locked in from the start and didn’t look back as she was able to make some tough shots over Lynx defenders. Hayes even had a stretch where she lost her shoe and hit a 3 pointer and forced a turnover on the defensive end. Overall her shot making ability and energy defensively was in full display. Hayes was 8/11 from the field for 23 points and the Valkyries needed every point to even be close.
Kayla Thornton had 13 points with 10 rebounds tonight against Minnesota. She always plays tough against the Lynx but the Valkyries just couldn’t get it done when it mattered the most. Napheesa Collier was a huge reason why Golden State didn’t get the win as well.
The Minnesota Lynx have been clicking on all cylinders as a unit and tonight it showed as 8 players had 5 points or more. Napheesa Collier struggled in the 1st quarter in back to back games but the MVP front runner continues to finish games with 20+ points. Napheesa was 8/11 from the field to finish with 22 points and 6 rebounds on the night. She was battling for position against Thornton/Billings all night. One thing about Phee that the Valkyries learned is that she’s going to keep coming at you and she did just that.
Courtney Williams didn’t have her big assist night but she was able to make some timely buckets to help Minnesota when it counted the most. The mid-range master has been lighting it up from the 3 point line as of late as she was 3/8 from downtown and finished with 15 points. Courtney affects the game in many ways with rebounding and deflections and the Lynx needed her energy as well.
The Lynx will need all that energy and more as they come back tomorrow to play the Chicago Sky who come into town Top 5 in rebounding. It should be an aggressive game in the paint and Minnesota could be down Alanna Smith who injured her knee tonight in the 1st half against Golden State.
The Minnesota Lynx lost a tough one against the Indiana Fever in the Commissioner’s Cup and in great Lynx fashion bounced right back.
The Washington Mystics came out swinging in this game as they were making it tough for the Lynx around the rim. Shakira Austin asserted herself in the paint and the Lynx had to adjust to the physicality that Washington was playing with and they did just that. Austin finished the game with 10 points and 5 rebounds as Jessica Shepard, Napheesa Collier, and Alanna Smith made it tough on her.
The unsung hero for the Washington Mystics tonight was Lucy Olsen as she was magnificent off the bench for Washington tonight with 19 points, 1 rebound, and 3 assists. Olsen was slithery with her cuts and was putting pressure on the Lynx defense when she was in attack mode. It’s sometimes those players that aren’t on the scouting report that can creep up on you and have an amazing game out of nowhere. Lucy Olsen proved that always being ready in the moment can workout for the better as she kept the Mystics within range until that 4th quarter. Aaliyah Edwards poured in 15 points with 6 rebounds while being able to get to her spots and make the Lynx work. The Mystics tried everything in their power to keep the Lynx down but Napheesa Collier woke up in the second half of play.
The Minnesota Lynx go where Napheesa Collier goes and she was able to finish tonight with 28 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Napheesa was able to get to her spots and that was largely due to some nasty passes from Courtney Williams. Phee struggled early in this game but wasn’t to be denied in the 2nd half as she came out on fire. The great thing about the Lynx this year is that they’re deep and can throw different players at you ever time. This roster has been built for a championship run and they can easily can do it.
Minnesota Timberwolves (Finished 2024-25 Season 49-33, 6th in Western Conference)
With the 17th & 31st picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves are in a great position to add to their already stacked lineup. There could be some changes on the horizon in the offseason for the Timberwolves when it comes to player options/free agency. The best way to prepare for those situations is to plan accordingly in the NBA Draft, where you can swing for a home run pick that can change the trajectory of your team’s success. Since the year 2000, there have been 4 players who were NBA All-Stars who were drafted at number 17 (Josh Smith, Jrue Holiday, Danny Granger, and Roy Hibbert).
The 31st pick since 2000 has produced only 2 players who have made a significant impact on their teams. One of them was Nic Claxton, and the other is Andrew Nembhard, as both have thrived in the NBA so far with that selection in their drafts. It just shows that if you have the right player and the right fit anything’s possible. The Minnesota Timberwolves are coming off the Western Conference berth for a second time in two years and they need a piece that can contribute to help get them over the hump. That player can currently be on the roster as well as last year, they added Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr through the NBA Draft. Below we will discuss the top players that could be available when the Timberwolves make their 17th and 32nd picks on Wednesday night.
The Timberwolves need some versatility with whoever they pick in the NBA Draft and the 5 players that we will focus on all bring something to the table that can help the Timberwolves in the 2025-2026 season.
The Minnesota Timberwolves should have their eyes on Nique Clifford in the draft, as he’s exactly what they need in the lineup, as his game will translate to the NBA with ease. Clifford averaged 18.9 ppg, 9.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game at Colorado State last season. Clifford has the ability to get a triple-double every time on the floor as he’s an elite rebounder and can also drop dimes to his teammates in transition.
Last season at Colorado State, Nique had 15 double-doubles on the year and was a dominant force on both ends of the floor. Nique Clifford was named to the All-Mountain West Men’s Basketball 1st Team and All-Mountain West Defensive Team. He can be that Swiss Army knife type of player that the Timberwolves have been looking for to insert into the lineup with instant effort, hustle, and energy. He’s someone who can score those hard baskets, but also doesn’t mind getting in the paint to clean up as well with the big men on the glass.
The Timberwolves are looking to run and defend, while adding youth so that plays right into the playing style of Clifford. We saw last season that Nique can get it going as he had a season-high 36 points against Boise State and can get to the glass as he had a season-high with 17 rebounds against Loyola Marymount.
The conference wasn’t as strong as others, so the talent he faced might be an issue, but you can’t deny his talent because he’s someone who can come in with Dillingham and Shannon Jr to make some serious noise on the 2nd unit. Clifford will need to improve on his shooting percentage in the NBA, but with great coaching, that can be adjusted, as you can see the improvements that Chris Hines has made with Anthony Edwards.
Derik Queen (Maryland) Freshmen 6″10 246lb Center
Derik Queen came on the scene last season at Maryland and turned heads instantly. His game is like a mix of Zach Randolph and Pau Gasol as he finishes with true finesse. At Maryland, Queen was able to put the NCAA on notice as he was able to dominate in the paint game after game. Queen averaged 16.5 ppg, 9 reb, and 1.9 ast per game at Maryland, which was impressive. Queen would be a great fit with the Timberwolves’ second unit as he can bring some paint presence that can play alongside Naz Reid, or if things change this offseason for Minnesota.
I believe that Minnesota would be a good landing spot for him because he can be used right away, as his touch with the ball is exactly what this team needs in the paint. Queen lives for the big moments, as you could tell from his buzzer-beater in the NCAA Tournament, but it’s his confidence that also has NBA teams wanting to take him in the NBA Draft. Just imagine Derik Queen getting the chance to learn from Rudy Gobert and get hyped up by Anthony Edwards on a daily basis.
Derik Queen will have to learn a lot about the NBA before he makes a serious impact, and that would start at the NBA Summer League, where I believe he will be able to put on a show just like Shannon Jr did last summer. If the Timberwolves can get Queen at pick 17, that would be a huge steal, as some drafts have him going between 8-18 on NBA Draft boards.
The offensive side of Queen will flourish, but he will need to work on his defense, especially if he wants to get some true minutes in the Chris Finch system. Queen has that factor that every NBA team would love to have on their team when it comes to a true locker room guy that helps with the chemistry. You can’t pass up on raw talent, and Derik is a straight hooper it’s that simple as he was able to showout in the Big 10 as the Freshmen of the Year.
Walter Clayton Jr (Florida) Freshmen 6″3 195lb Guard
Walter Clayton Jr is a straight-up sniper, and the NBA is all about 3&D with a sprinkle of playmaking ability. Walter Clayton Jr has the potential to be one of the Splash Cousins in the NBA, and it would be huge for the Timberwolves to add that type of shooting to the second unit with Donte Divincenzo. Walter’s coming off one of the best seasons in college basketball, winning the NCAA Championship, NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player, First Team All-American, and First Team SEC, just to name a few.
The Timberwolves could use more shooting on the team, and this could be just what the doctor ordered when it comes to 3-point shooting alongside Anthony Edwards. This season at Florida, Clayton Jr averaged 18.3 ppg, 3.7 reb, and 4.2 ast on 45% shooting from the field. Clayton Jr has shown the ability to hit some tough shots under pressure, and that’s the type of player that Minnesota needs, who can add to the depth. The defensive side of things will be interesting to follow from Waltor Clayton Jr because he did give up some easy looks to other teams.
I think a heavy dose of coaching from Coach Finch and shadowing Donte would be really good for his career, as they both do similar things, but WCJ is a lot cheaper when it comes to salary.
The run that Walter Clayton Jr went on this season at Florida was special, and his NCAA Tournament was just as impressive, so I would love for him to get to the Timberwolves at 31 if he’s still sitting there at the moment. Walter Clayton Jr dropped 25+ 8 times this season for Florida and put the team on his back, so if he can do that in college, I like his chances in the NBA. He’s one of the smoothest shooters in the whole NBA Draft, if not the best, but he needs the chance to be great at the NBA level. This pick has the potential to have huge upside for the future to come for Minnesota if they get the chance to snag him.
Johni Broome (Auburn) Senior 6″10 210lb Forward
The Timberwolves need someone who can be aggressive on the boards, but at the same time be able to run that fast break as well. Broome reminds me of a young Daniel Gafford as he’s a complete monster on the boards. On the season, at Auburn, Broome averaged 18.6 ppg, 10.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. Broome did it all for Auburn, and he was the reason they were number one all season long.
Broome has won a lot of awards this season (The Sporting News Player of the Year, Consensus first-team All-American, Pete Newell Big Man Award, Karl Malone Award, SEC Player of the Year, and 2× First-team All-SEC (2024, 2025). Broome was a double-double machine under Bruce Pearl, and he can be a great player who can fit alongside Naz Reid or Julius Randle this upcoming season. Broome’s one of the players that does the dirty work, and he doesn’t mind the fact that he probably won’t have plays run for him. Broome’s a true sponge, and he’s someone who could learn a lot from a player like Jaden McDaniels.
Broome’s a slasher and someone that can knock down the shot when he’s given the chance, too, as we’ve seen, but he will get those put-backs and will flourish in the PickNRoll. Broome can be that spark that the Timberwolves need, and I think under Coach Finch, he can truly take that next step on the defensive end as well. The best part about this pick is the fact that Broome has been in all the pressure moments you can be in for a college player, so he will be poised in the NBA.
He showed a lot of glimpses of being great during his time at Auburn, and he can show that same thing in the NBA with the Timberwolves. If Broome is sitting there at the 31st pick for Minnesota, I wouldn’t mind them picking him up at all, as he will be a great fit.
Maxime Raynaud (Stanford) Senior 7″1 250lb Center
The Maxime Raynaud is a sneaky good pick that I would love Minnesota to go after in the NBA Draft. Maxime will be able to get the center minutes on the second unit, and his presence in the paint being 7″1 but with movement is exactly what the Timberwolves need alongside Naz Reid. At Stanford, Maxime was a rebounding machine as he was 9th in the country, averaging 10.6 per game. His 20.2 ppg would put him at 15th in the country, but he has pure touch with the ball and can knock down the jumper.
When Maxime’s on the run in the fast break with Rob Dillingham, people would understand what I’m talking about. He can go up and get the alley oop, and he can also put pressure on defenses with his drives to the rim. The quickness that he plays with for being 7″1 is very impressive, and he would instantly be able to use that to his advantage with the Wolves under Coach Finch.
The Wolves need a little jolt of youth in the second lineup, and this could be a huge help to their offense/defense. The sky’s the limit for this kid as he has shown promise throughout his time in the NCAA, but it’s time to see if that can translate over to the NBA. This fit would be perfect as the Timberwolves already have their core and can bring Maxime in without any pressure to learn with Rudy Gobert, with his defense/paint presence.
Any time you can get great talent near the middle of the draft or near the end, you have to go for it. The Wolves will have the mismatch in the paint, and with his quickness in the paint, he can easily get to the bucket when given chances when teams double-team others.
Photo Credit: David Banks Imagn Images, Michael Reaves/GettyImages, MWCConnection
